Collapsible Garment Stillage

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a collapsible garment stillage ( 10 ). The stillage ( 10 ) including a base ( 12 ) having front ( 16 ), rear ( 22 ), and top ( 28 ) frames and two side ( 14 ) frames movably mounted thereto, wherein the top frame ( 28 ) is provided with at least one support for a garment hanger, wherein the front ( 16 ), rear ( 22 ), side ( 14 ), and top ( 28 ) frames are collapsible C into the base ( 12 ).

The present invention relates to a stillage for garments on hangers, thestillage being moveable between an erect state and a collapsed state.

For the bulk transport of garments on hangers in a shipping container, aframe is constructed from which the garment hangers are hung prior tothe frame being loaded into the shipping container. The frame istypically constructed from metal sections and is broken up after thegarments have reached their point of delivery. It will be appreciatedthat this arrangement is both expensive and wasteful as the frame is notreused. The fitting out of an ocean going shipping container withhanging rails has also been proposed,

According to the present invention there is provided a collapsiblegarment stillage, the stillage including a base having front, rear, andtop frames and two side frames movably mounted thereto, wherein the topframe is provided with at least one support for a garment hanger,wherein the front, rear, side, and top frames are collapsible into thebase.

In the erect state the stillage has the generally cuboid shape. In thecollapsed position the front, rear side and top frames overlie oneanother upon the base.

In a preferred embodiment one or more of the front, rear and side framesmay be pivotably mounted to the base. In such an embodiment thepivotably mounted frames are foldable onto the base. In an alternativeembodiment at least one of the front, rear and side frames may bedemountable from the base. In such an embodiment the demountable framesare removable from the base before being placeable upon the base. In yeta further embodiment the front, rear and side frames may be configuredsuch that some are pivotably mounted and the remainder are demountable.

The top frame is preferably pivotably mounted to one of the front, rearand side frames. Alternatively, the top frame may be demountable fromone of the front, rear and side frames.

The front frame may comprise upper and lower frame sections which arehinged to one other and are foldable against one another. The rear framemay comprise upper and lower frame sections which are hinged to oneother and are foldable against one another. In such an embodiment thetop frame may be hinged to the upper rear frame section.

The front frame is preferably provided with a latch which releasablyconnects the front frame to a side frame. The front frame is preferablyprovided with a plurality of latches which releasably connect the frontframe to both side frames. The front frame is moveable to both to theaforementioned position overlying the base and to a further positionwherein the front frame extends from the base when the stillage is inthe erect state. The front frame, when extending from the base in thismanner, may define a ramp surface which leads to the interior of thestillage In an alternative embodiment, the rear frame, or one of theside frames may instead be movable to such a position and thereby definea ramp surface.

The rear frame is preferably provided with a latch which releasablyconnects the rear frame to a side frame. The rear frame is preferablyprovided with a plurality of latches which releasably connect the rearframe to both side frames.

The top frame is preferably provided with a latch which releasablyconnects the top frame to a side frame.

The stillage may be provided with an interior frame provided with atleast one support for a garment hanger. The interior frame may bepositioned within the stillage above the base and below the top frame.The interior frame is receivable in the base when the stillage iscollapsed.

The base of the stillage may be provided with deployable wheels.

In an alternative embodiment, the stillage may be provided with one ormore cladding panels that at least partially cover the front, rear, topand/or side frames. The or each panel may be permanently fixed to the oreach frame. Alternatively, the or each panel may be removably fixed tothe or each frame. The panels may be rigid, semi rigid or flexible.

In an alternative embodiment, the stillage may be provided with aflexible cover that is fittable over the stillage when it is in theerect configuration.

The cladding panels and/or cover may be provided for the purposes ofprotecting, securing and/or obscuring the interior of the stillage whenthe stillage is in the erect state.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a shows an isometric view from above and to one side of astillage in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b shows an isometric view from below and to one side of astillage;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the stillage;

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the stillage;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the stillage;

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the base of the stillage;

FIG. 6 a shows an isometric view of the lower front frame of thestillage;

FIG. 6 b shows a further isometric view of the lower front frame of thestillage;

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of the upper front frame of the stillage;

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a side frame of the stillage;

FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of the interior mid frame of thestillage;

FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of the top frame of the stillage;

FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of the upper rear frame of the stillage;

FIG. 12 a shows an isometric view of the lower rear frame of thestillage;

FIG. 12 b shows a side view of the lower rear frame of the stillage;

FIG. 13 shows an isometric view of the stillage with the interior midframe in a stowed position;

FIG. 14 a shows an isometric view of the stillage with the front framesections in a stowed position;

FIG. 14 b shows a side view of the stillage with the front framesections in a stowed position;

FIG. 15 a shows an isometric view of the stillage with the top framesection in a partially stowed position;

FIG. 15 b shows a side view of the stillage with the top frame sectionin a partially stowed position;

FIG. 16 a shows an isometric view of the stillage with the front framesections, rear frame sections and the top frame section in a stowedposition;

FIG. 16 b shows a side view of the stillage with the front framesections, rear frame sections and the top frame section in a stowedposition;

FIG. 17 a shows an isometric view of the stillage with the front framesections, rear frame sections, the top frame section and one of the sideframe sections in a stowed position;

FIG. 17 b shows a side view of the stillage with the front framesections, rear frame sections, the top frame section and one of the sideframe sections in a stowed position;

FIG. 18 a shows an isometric view of the stillage with the front framesections, rear frame sections, the top frame section and both of theside frame sections in a stowed position;

FIG. 18 b shows a side view of the stillage with the front framesections, rear frame sections, the top frame section and both of theside frame sections in a stowed position;

FIG. 19 shows a view from the front and to one side of a stillage inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention in a fullyerect configuration;

FIG. 20 shows a view from the front and to one side of the stillage ofFIG. 19 with the front frame section in a stowed position;

FIG. 21 shows a view from the front and to one side of the stillage ofFIG. 19 with the front frame section in a stowed position and the topframe section in a partially stowed position;

FIG. 22 shows a view from the front and to one side of the stillage ofFIG. 19 with the front, top and rear frame sections in a stowedposition;

FIG. 23 shows a view from the front and to one side of the stillage ofFIG. 19 with the front, top and rear frame sections, and one of the sideframe sections in a stowed position;

FIG. 24 shows a view from the front and to one side of the stillage ofFIG. 19 with the front, top and rear frame sections, and both side framesections in a stowed position;

FIG. 25 shows a corner detail for the stillage of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 26 shows a simplified side view of the stillage of FIG. 19 with thefront frame pivoted outwardly to form a loading ramp.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 a to 12 b there is shown a first embodimentof foldable garment stillage, generally designated 10, according to thepresent invention. The stillage 10 comprises a base 12, two side framesections 14, a front frame 16 having upper and lower front framesections 18, 20, a rear frame 22 having upper and lower rear framesections 24, 26, a top frame section 28 and an interior mid framesection 30. FIG. 1 a shows the stillage 10 in an erect configurationwith the interior mid frame section 30 installed and supported by thefront frame 16 and the rear frame 22. In this configuration the stillage10 is provided two sets of hanging rails, with one set being provided onthe top frame section 28 and the other on the interior mid frame section30. This configuration is suitable for transporting two tiers ofrelatively short garments.

The base 12 is comprised of front, rear and side members ofchannel-section tubing 32,34,36 which are connected by respectiveupstanding corner members 38 of box section tubing in a rectangularconfiguration. Two transverse members 40 of box section tubing extendbetween the side members 36 and are arranged parallel to the front andrear members 32,34. Two further members 41 of box-section material arearranged between the transverse members 40 and are arranged parallel tothe side members 36. On the underside of each of the front, rear andside members 32,34,36 there is provided a ground engaging rail 42,44,46.Upright members 39 of box section tubing extend between the rails42,44,46 and the front, rear and side members 32,34,36. The uprightmembers 39, front, rear and side members 32,34,36 and ground engagingrails 42,44,46 define between them apertures 43,45 within which, in use,the tines of a fork lift are receivable.

Each corner member 38 is further provided with a mounting member 48 towhich, in use, the side frame sections 14 and front frame 16 arepivotably mounted to. The mounting members 48 are provided in pairs,with the mounting members 48 of each pair opposing one another along thefront and rear members 32,34 respectively. Each mounting member 48 isformed from box section tubing and is provided with a pair of elongateslots 50. The mounting members 48 which oppose one another along thefront member 32 are further each provided with an aperture 52 whichfaces the aperture 52 in the other mounting member 48. The purpose andfunction of the slots 50 and apertures 52 will be described in greaterdetail below. The mounting members 48 which oppose one another along therear member 34 are connected by a bar 54, also formed from box sectiontubing, which serves a hinge mount for the rear frame 22. The frontmember 32 is further provided with a pair of spacers 47 which, in use,assist in maintaining the front frame 16 in an upright position whendesired.

As described above, the front frame 16 comprises upper and lower framesections 18, 20. The frame sections 18, 20 are hinged to one anothersuch that the sections 18,20 can be folded against one another. Theupper frame section 18 is rectangular and constructed from four piecesof box-section tubing 56,58. The upper frame section 18 is furtherprovided with two bracing members 60 which extend between the two longerpieces of box-section tubing 58. The upper frame section 18 is providedwith sprung latch arrangements 62 which, in use, allow the upper framesection 18 to be releasably connected to each side frame section 14. Thesprung latch arrangements 62 are provided within sections of box-sectiontubing 63 which extend between the bracing members 60 and the shorterpieces of box-section tubing 56.

The lower frame section 20 is rectangular and constructed from fourpieces of box-section tubing 64,66. The lower frame section 20 isfurther provided with an array of transverse and lateral bracing members68 which extend between the four pieces of box-section tubing 64,66. Thebracing members 68 are made from L section channel.

The lower frame section 20 is further provided with a pair of laterallyextending projections 70, one of which is visible in FIG. 6, which inuse are received in the apertures 52 of the mounting members 48 whichoppose on another along the front member 32 of the base 12. The lowerframe section 20 is thus pivotably mounted to the base 12. The lowerframe section 20 can be pivoted between a position where it overlies thetransverse members 40 of the base 12 and a position where it extendsfrom the base 12 in the form of a ramp. The lower frame section 20 mayoptionally be covered with a sheet of material 72 which, in use, facesthe interior of the erected stillage 10 and which can be seen in, forexample, FIGS. 1 a and lb. The lower frame section 20 is furtherprovided with sprung latches 67 which, in use, allow the lower framesection 20 to be releasably connected to each side frame section 14.

Each side frame section 14 has a ladder-like constriction and comprisestwo edge pieces of box section tubing 74 which are joined by fiveshorter transverse pieces 76 of box section tubing. The transversepieces 76 are spaced such that a foot 78 is defined on each edge pieceof tubing 74. Each foot 78 is provided with a pair of opposedprojections 80 which, in use, are received in the slots 50 of themounting members 48. Alternatively, each foot 78 may be provided with athrough aperture into which a pin is receivable in order to locate theside frame section 14 to the slots 50. The cross sectional dimensions ofthe box section tubing forming the edge pieces 74 are such that eachfoot 78 is receivable in a mounting member 48 with a clearancetherearound. Each side frame section 14 is thus slidably and pivotablyconnected to the base via the interaction of the projections 80 with theslots 50. The each edge piece is provided with apertures 81 into whichsprung latches of the front and rear frames 16,22 are receivable, inuse. The top of the frame section 14 is provided with an eye 83 intowhich a sprung latch of the top frame section 28 is receivable, in use.

The interior mid frame section 30 is rectangular and constructed fromfour pieces of box-section tubing 84,86. The interior mid frame section30 is further provided with a pair of bracing members 88 which extendbetween the two longer pieces of box-section tubing 86. The lower framesection 20 is further provided with three hanging rails 90 which extendbetween the shorter pieces of box section tubing 84 and throughapertures in the bracing members 88. The longer piece of box-sectiontubing which, in use, faces the front frame 16 is provided with a pairof flanges 82. In use, the flanges 82 rest upon a portion of the frontframe 16 to support the interior mid frame section 30 within thestillage 10. The interior mid frame section may be foldable about theaxis marked by broken line 87.

The top frame section 28 is rectangular and constructed from four piecesof box-section tubing 90,92. The top frame section 28 is furtherprovided with a pair of bracing members 94 which extend between the twolonger pieces of box-section tubing 92. The top frame section 28 isfurther provided with three hanging rails 96 which extend between theshorter pieces of box section tubing 90 and through apertures in thebracing members 94. The top frame section 28 is further provided with apair of flanges 98 which extend from one of the two longer pieces ofbox-section tubing, which, in use, rests against the upper edge of theupper frame section 18 for the front frame 16—see for example FIGS. 1 aand 2. The top frame section 28 is further provided with sprung latches99 which, in use, allow the top frame section 28 to be releasablyconnected to each side frame section 14.

As described above, the rear frame 22 comprises upper and lower framesections 24, 26. The frame sections 24, 26 are hinged to one anothersuch that the sections 24,26 can be folded against one another. Theupper frame section 24 is rectangular and constructed from four piecesof box-section tubing 100,102. The upper frame section 24 is furtherprovided with two bracing members 104 which extend between the twolonger pieces of box-section tubing 102. The upper frame section 24 isprovided with sprung latch arrangements 107 which, in use, allow theupper frame section 24 to be releasably connected to each side framesection 14. The sprung latch arrangements 62 are provided withinsections of box-section tubing 106 which extend between the bracingmembers 104 and the shorter pieces of box-section tubing 100.

The lower frame section 26 is rectangular and constructed from fourpieces of box-section tubing 110,112. The lower frame section 26 isfurther provided with three bracing members 114 which extend between thetwo longer pieces of box-section tubing 112. The lower frame section 26is further provided with a support flange 116 which extends between thebracing members 114. The support flange 116, in use, cooperates with thesupport flanges 82 of the interior mid frame section 30 to support theinterior mid frame section 30. The lower frame section 26 is providedwith sprung latch arrangements 117 which, in use, allow the lower framesection 26 to be releasably connected to each side frame section 14.

The lower frame section 26 is hinged to the bar 54 of the base 12, whilethe top frame section 28 is hinged to the upper frame section 24 of therear frame 22.

FIGS. 13 to 18 b show various erect and partially collapsedconfigurations of the stillage 10.

FIG. 13 shows the interior mid frame section 30 stowed in the base 12.In this configuration the stillage 10 is provided with a single set ofhanging rails provided on the top frame section 28. This configurationis suitable for transporting a single tier of relatively long garments.FIG. 13 shows also the first stage in the folding of the stillage 10from the erect state to the folded state when fitted with the interiormid frame section 30. The interior mid frame section 30 is lifted fromthe support flanges of the front and rear frames 16,22 and stowed in thebase 12.

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b show the next stage in the folding of the stillage10. The front frame 16 has been disengaged from the side frame sections14 by manipulation of the latches 62,67, and the upper and lower frontframe sections 18,20 folded into the base 12 on top of the mid framesection 30. The top frame section 28 is supported by the engagement ofthe top frame latches 99 with the side frame eyes 83.

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b show the next stage in the folding of the stillage10. The top frame latches 99 have been disengaged and the top framesection 28 folded into the interior of the stillage 10. The top framesection 28 may optionally be clipped or otherwise secured to the rearframe 22 before the subsequent folding of the rear frame 22 into thebase 12.

FIGS. 16 a and 16 b show the next stage in the folding of the stillage10. The rear frame 22 has been disengaged from the side frame sections14 by manipulation of the latches 107,117 and the top frame section 28,and upper and lower rear frame sections 24,26 folded into the base 12 ontop of the already folded upper and lower front frame sections 18,20 andthe mid frame section 30.

FIGS. 17 a and 17 b show the penultimate stage in the folding of thestillage 10. One of the side frame sections 14 has been folded into thebase 12 and lies upon the already folded top frame section 28, upper andlower rear frame sections 24,26, upper and lower front frame sections18,20 and the mid frame section 30. The folding of the stillage 10 iscompleted by folding the remaining side frame section 14 as can be seenin FIGS. 18 a and 18 b.

In the folded state it will be appreciated that all of the foldedsections are contained within the footprint of the base 12. Furthermore,the folded sections do not project above the corner members 38 of thebase 12. Folded stillages 10 can thus be stacked upon one another withthe base of an upper folded stillage 10 resting upon the corner members38 of a lower folded stillage 10 before being placed in a shippingcontainer and returned to their point of origin for re-use.

Certain of the figures, for example FIG. 18 b, shows an optional wheelarrangement which may be fitted to opposing sides of the base 12 toassist with handling of the stillage 10 when it is loaded. Thearrangement includes a bar 120 to which a pair of caster wheels 122 aremounted. The bar 120 is connected to the base 12 by a jack mechanism124. The jack mechanism 124 is mounted to the base 12 at the box sectionmembers 41 which extend between the transverse members 40. The jackmechanism 124 is operable to move the bar 120 downwardly relative to thebase 12 and hence raise the stillage 10 onto the caster wheels 122. Asan alternative to a mechanical jack mechanism 124 the stillage 10 may beprovided with a hydraulic jacking mechanism which operates in a similarmanner to move the bar 120 relative to the base 12. In such anembodiment the pump and hydraulic reservoir may be sited in the channelsection tubing 32,34,36 of the base 12.

In addition to the features described above, the stillage 10 may includemultiple interior frame sections provided at different heights so thatthe stillage 10 can accommodate multiple tiers of short garments suchas, for example children's clothing items.

The latches which locate the front, rear and top frames to the sideframes are preferably lockable in the engaged position so as to preventmovement of the frames in transit.

While the front, rear side and top frames have been described as beinghinged or pivotably connected to the base and or to one another, it willbe appreciated that the frames may be demountably connected to oneanother. There may be provided a combination of hinge or pivotconnections and demountable connections between the stillage components.

The size of the stillage is such that it is readily acceptable withinstandard bulk cargo containers. For example, the stillage in its erectstate may have a height of approximately 8 feet (2.43 metres), a widthof approximately 8 feet (2.43 metres) and a depth of approximately 5feet (1.52 metres). As such, four stillages are fittable in a standard20 foot ocean going container and eight stillages are fittable in astandard 40 foot ocean going container. In the collapsed state thestillage 10 has a height of approximately 2 feet (0.61 metres). As such,four collapsed stillages, when stacked upon one another, take up thesame space as one erect stillage. The aforementioned shipping containerscan thus accommodate sixteen and thirty two collapsed stillages. Asingle 8 ft by 8 ft by 5 ft stillage will also fit into a standard airfreight container.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 to 25 there is shown an alternative embodimentof a foldable garment stillage, generally designated 200, in accordancewith the present invention. Features common to the stillage 10 describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 18 b are identified with like referencenumerals prefixed with a FIG. “2”.

The stillage 200 includes a base 212, two side frame sections 214, afront frame 216, a rear frame 222 and a top frame 228. The top frame 228includes a plurality of hanging rails 296 which define a garment hanginglocation for the stillage 200. The stillage 200 differs from thestillage 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18 b in that that thefront and rear frames 216,222 are each comprised of a single framesection as opposed to connected upper and lower frame sections, and inthat the stillage 200 is not provided with a removable mid frame sectiondefining an additional garment hanging location. The stillage 200 isfurther not provided with the deployable wheels described with referenceto the stillage 10 of FIGS. 1 to 18 b.

FIG. 19 shows the stillage 200 in a fully erect configuration. FIG. 20shows the first stage in the folding of the stillage 200. The frontframe 216 has been disengaged from the side frame sections 214 bymanipulation of the latches 262 and folded into the base 212. The topframe 228 is supported by the engagement of the top frame latches 299with the side frames sections 214.

The front frame 216 is pivotable so as to fold outwardly of the base 212in the same manner as the front frame 16 of the stillage 10 describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 18 b. This outward folding of the frontframe is shown in FIG. 26. The front frame 216 when folded outwardly asshown provides a ramp surface 300 leading to the interior of thestillage 200. This ramp surface 300 may assist in the loading andunloading of garments on hangers onto the hanging rails 296 by enablingwheeled garment rails to positioned at the open side of the stillage200. It will be understood that a rigid sheet or board would need to beoverlaid or at least temporarily attached to the front frame 216 tofacilitate the movement of wheeled garment rails towards and away fromthe open side of the stillage 200.

FIG. 21 shows the next stage in the folding of the stillage 200. The topframe latches 299 have been disengaged and the top frame 228 folded intothe interior of the stillage 200. The top frame section 228 mayoptionally be clipped or otherwise secured to the rear frame 222 beforethe subsequent folding of the rear frame 222 into the base 212.

FIG. 22 shows the next stage in the folding of the stillage 200. Therear frame 222 has been disengaged from the side frame sections 214 bymanipulation of the latches locating it to the side frame sections 214 .The top frame 228, and rear frame 222 have been folded into the base 212on top of the already folded front frame 216.

FIG. 23 shows the penultimate stage in the folding of the stillage 200.One of the side frame sections 214 has been folded into the base 212 andlies upon the already folded top frame 228, rear frame 222 and frontframe 216. The folding of the stillage 220 is completed by folding theremaining side frame section 214 as can be seen in FIG. 24.

In the folded state it will be appreciated that all of the foldedsections are contained within the footprint of the base 212.Furthermore, the folded sections do not project above the corner members238 of the base 212. Folded stillages 200 can thus be stacked upon oneanother with the base of an upper folded stillage 200 resting upon thecorner members 238 of a lower folded stillage 200 before being placed ina shipping container and returned to their point of origin forre-erection and re-use.

FIG. 25 shows a close up view of a corner of the stillage 200 showingthe connection between the base 212, front frame 216 and a side frame214. The front frame 216 is pivotably connected to the base 212 by theinteraction of projections 270 of the frame 216 with correspondingapertures 252 of the base 212. The apertures 252 of the base areprovided on opposing corner members 238 of the base 212. The cornermembers 238 further provided with mounting members 248 having elongateslots 250, and to which the side frames 214 are pivotably mounted.

Optionally, the stillages 10,200 described above may be provided withone or more cladding panels that at least partially cover the front,rear, top and/or side frames. The or each panel may be permanently fixedto the or each frame. Alternatively, the or each panel may be removablyfixed to the or each frame. The panels may be rigid, semi rigid orflexible. In an alternative the stillage 10,200 may be provided with aflexible cover that is fittable over the stillage when it is in theerect configuration. Such a cover may be used in conjunction with theaforementioned cladding panels. The cladding panels and/or cover may beprovided for the purposes of protecting, securing and/or obscuring theinterior of the stillage when the stillage is in the erect state.

1. A collapsible garment stillage, the stillage including a base havingfront, rear, and top frames and two side frames movably mounted thereto,wherein the top frame is provided with at least one support for agarment hanger, wherein the front, rear, side, and top frames arecollapsible into the base.
 2. A collapsible garment stillage as claimedin claim 1 wherein one or more of the front, rear and side frames arepivotably mounted to the base.
 3. A collapsible garment stillage asclaimed in claim 1 wherein one or more of the front, rear and sideframes is demountable from the base.
 4. A collapsible garment stillageas claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the front, rear and side frames ismovable to a position where it extends from the base and thereby permitsaccess to the interior of the stillage when the stillage is in an erectstate.
 5. A collapsible garment stillage as claimed in claim 4 whereinsaid frame defines a ramp surface when moved to the position where itextends from the base.
 6. A collapsible garment stillage as claimed inclaim 4, wherein the front frame is pivotable to a position where itextends from the base and thereby permits access to the interior of thestillage when the stillage is in an erect state.
 7. A collapsiblegarment stillage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top frame ispivotably mounted to one of the front, rear and side frames.
 8. Acollapsible garment stillage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frontframe comprises upper and lower frame sections which are hinged to oneother and are foldable against one another.
 9. A collapsible garmentstillage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear frame comprises upperand lower frame sections which are hinged to one other and are foldableagainst one another.
 10. A collapsible garment stillage as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the top frame is hinged to the upper frame section ofthe rear frame.
 11. A collapsible garment stillage as claimed in claim1, wherein the front frame is provided with a latch which releasablyconnects the front frame to a side frame.
 12. A collapsible garmentstillage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear frame is provided witha latch which releasably connects the rear frame to a side frame.
 13. Acollapsible garment stillage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the topframe is provided with a latch which releasably connects the top frameto a side frame.
 14. A collapsible garment stillage as claimed in claim1, wherein the stillage is provided with an interior frame provided withat least one support for a garment hanger.
 15. A collapsible garmentstillage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base of the stillage isprovided with deployable wheels.
 16. A collapsible garment stillage asclaimed in claim 1, wherein a cladding panel is mounted to at least oneof the frames.
 17. A collapsible garment stillage as claimed in claim 1,and including a cover.